Daniel Butler makes his VFL debut for North Ballarat

By
DAVID BREHAUT

EMERGING youngster Daniel Butler will make his VFL debut with North Ballarat Roosters against Coburg on Sunday.

Daniel Butler

EMERGING youngster Daniel Butler will make his VFL debut with North Ballarat Roosters against Coburg on Sunday.

The Selkirk Roosters have named Butler as their 23rd player as they strive to firm up a berth in the top eight.

His selection rounds out a big week for the Lake Wendouree 18-year-old, who is one of two North Ballarat Rebels selected to attend the four-day AFL draft combine on October 1-4.

He will be joined by Vic Country teammate Rowan Marshall, 19, of Portland, among 96 players invited to the camp. Butler replaces Rebels teammate Oscar McDonald as the fifth player on interchange for the Roosters.

Butler is one of three changes to the North Ballarat line-up which defeated Bendigo Gold by 79 points before having a week off.

North Melbourne first-year player Trent Dumont returns, as does Nick Couch who has recovered from knee soreness.

Dumont is back after a high level training phase.

There is no Daniel Wells though.

North Melbourne early this week mooted the possibility of Wells returning from a foot injury via the Roosters this week.

While it still appears likely he will be eased back through North Ballarat, it will now be at least another week when the Roosters play Geelong in Ballarat on Sunday, August 10.

Dumont replaces Aaron Mullett, while Chris Giampaolo has also been left out and will line up with Redan in the Ballarat Football League.

North Ballarat is sixth with eight wins in 14 rounds, but just one game ahead of ninth with four rounds remaining – making Coburg a must win for the Roosters.